John Houston Tatum Jr. played running back and defensive back at Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery. Tatum received his undergraduate degree in Art and Physical Education from Troy University, and a Masters of Education in Administration and Supervision from Georgia State University in Atlanta.

While at Troy, Tatum was a letterman on the football team in 1964-65.

Tatum became the head football coach at Walker high in Atlanta in 1979 where he served for four seasons with a 26-17 record.

In 1984, Tatum accepted the head coaching position at Montgomery Academy. Over the next 23 seasons his teams won 170 games with 95 losses.

His teams made the playoffs 18 times and won a state championship in 1986 with a perfect 14-0 record and a 13-6 win over Billingsley in the title game.

His teams won eight region titles during his career. Coach Tatum was named as a head coach for the North and South All-Star football game in 2007.

Tatum retired from the active coaching ranks after 38 years following the 2006 season. Following his retirement from the football field, Coach Tatum worked with the athletic departments of schools across the State of Alabama to introduce STAR Sportsmanship to coaches, parents, and athletes.

In the 12 years as athletic director at Montgomery Academy the sports programs won 28 State Championships and 19 State Runner-ups spots. In July 2009. Tatum, a 38 year education veteran was named to the position of High School Principal at St. James School in Montgomery.

Coach Tatum was named the Class 1A Coach of the Year by the ASWA in 1987. Tatum was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

Sadly, he passed away on Sunday, August 14, 2016.